The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-29
~ Jewel that John Found.
BY VINCENT BELL.

Darts shoe factory when Annie Velga
came running up the street, painting
And red OF face. John Dart, standing
ON the steps talking with two
strangers smiled rs she came up, and
said in slightly surprised tones;
"You are late this morning Miss
Velga-something never before
Known"
Eyes, sir. am sorry, but over
slept myself"
Cup late last night-had a beau,
Yerhaps?" suggested John, roguishly.
"No, sir, " retorted Annie, promptly,
and rather snappishly, for, even
though he was the nephew of William
Dart, the great shoeman, and the pro-
spective heir to all his wealth, she con-
sideled he was taking a liberty especi-
ally before strangers. Perhaps pretty
and prim little Annie had some other
-reason, too, for resenting his remark.
Pretty girl said one oithe strang-
rrs after she had passed.
"Nes," assented John, "and about
the neatest, quickest girl ever in the
Vork-room," and then the stranger
began talking again very earnestly, rs
before Annie came up the steps
Well" said John, "of course you
may satisfy yourself, but | can tell
you beforehand there is not one OF our
girls whom We do not trust. 1t will
take you about all day, for they live
m all directions from here, ii you have
90 search their rooms. As uncle says
must 20 with you in that case, the
sooner it is over the better for me. "
Then they al! three went up stairs to
the girls worIiroom.
"Will those who stopped at Dingus'
pwery store last night, on the way
home from work, please stand up?"
said John. over hall OF them stood
mp. while John took down theirnames
and the numbers OF their rooms. and
the detectives watched each ace keen
w. So far no one was disturbed by Il
guilty conscience. After ascertaining
beyond doubt that all who had
been in he store reported. Jonn an
nounced:
1--WE have received word that val.
nable amount OF jewelry was stolen
from this firm last night ut about the
hour you were there, therefore suspi-
cion has fallen upon you, and each
girl must allow her room to be search
ed ii the goods are not previously
found upon her person"
So the search began. A quiet, trusty
girl much older than the Others, and
who had not been with them the even
ing before, was appointed to conduct
the personal investigation in another
room. One after another left the
workroom to return in few minutes,
declared innocent, until the officers
were satisfied none OF the goods were
at the factory.
Now" said John, wnen the last
girl had returned, will each one OF you
give me your keys in turn, for | must
accompany this officer in his search
while the other remains here
Not this morning spoke up Anna
Velga, quickly. while the smart detec-
tive felt the Jewels in his grasp, so to
speak, and the reward in his pockets
John looked surprised some said lie
turned u triile pale us he looked into
Annie's flushed guilty face.
Eyes, OF course, this morning" he
answered grayely. what difference
rs it. Miss Annie?"
None" answered Annie, hastily;
but as John took her key, the detec-
tive, thinking Il best TO search her
room at once, instead OF in her turn,
she burst out crying and seemed so
broken down the remaining officer felt
justified in placing her under arrest
John had visited Annis's room be-
fore, Just once, not many evenings be-
fore. He had taken her book
60 read and q small basket OF
fruit, thinking that as neat way
to begin his courtship as any. He
had thought as he left that evening
it was the prettiest, brightest little
room he had ever seen, far exceeding
any in his uncle's grand mansion.
He had little thought the next time
he climbed the stairs TO room No.
32 would be upon such a painful err
rand. He could not believe sweet lit
tie Annie guilty until 1t was proven,
vet he climbed the steps unwillingly,
and with more unwilling fingers turn
ed in the lock the key Annie had sur
rendered. When the door was open
he stood for n moment irresolute.
The room seemed the same, yet not
the same either. Where, the evening
he had called n pretty Japanese
screen had stood, was now a rather